Archives: Faculty

Cassy Surianello is originally from Buffalo, NY where she began dancing at the age of 2. She left Buffalo to attend Point Park University receiving her B.F.A in dance. Professional performance credits include; First National Tour of “Fiddler on the Roof”, Principal Dancer for SweetBird Productions International Tour of Rasta Thomas’ “Rock the Ballet” (Bad Boys of Dance), Dance Lab New York (Josh Prince), Dance Break (Stacey Tookey), “In This Life” (Film), The Orsano Project, Madison Square Garden and MTV Live. Modeling and film credits include: MAKEUP FOREVER, Sephora and HBO.

Craig Washington is a professional dancer and instructor based in New York City. Trained in Hip Hop, West African, Afrika Fusion, vogue and other commercial styles. His credits include Dove Cameron, Works and Process for the Guggenheim, Les Ballet Afrik, Project Runway, and more.

Amy Ruggiero graduated from Goucher College with a BA in Dance with Biological Sciences. She is currently an Assistant Choreographer, Dance Captain and Swing for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular’s Ensemble.

Amy got her start in the world of concert dance, performing with Ballet Austin, American Repertory Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance and the Metropolitan Opera. This evolved into a career in musical theatre, some favorite credits including: Carousel (Broadway), the 1st National/Japan Tour of Come Fly Away, Little Dancer (Kennedy Center), American Dance Machine for the 21st Century (Joyce Theatre) and Marie, Dancing Still (The 5th Avenue Theatre).

Amy can also be seen on film and TV, most recently in the Netflix limited series Halston as well as the upcoming second season of Feud for FX. She has danced in commercial campaigns for Kate Spade and Under Armour.

Amy was on faculty at the Princeton Ballet School and Lackawanna PAC during her time at American Repertory Ballet. She currently gives master classes in ballet, contemporary dance, musical theatre and anatomy for dancers at studios around the country. She enjoys teaching for Dance Device Lab and DEViATE, which has included leading the ballet classes and concert dance audition labs for DEViATE’s The Process convention series.

Amy is additionally a NASM-certified CPT and SLT instructor.

CHRISTOPHER RALPH was born and raised in Long Island, N.Y. He began his dance training at Holy Trinity High School, where he was accepted into the theater/dance program led by Cathy Murphy and James Whore. While training at school he simultaneously attended classes at Broadway dance center and Steps on Broadway with teachers such as Dorrit Koppel, Frank Hatchett and Sheila Barker. In 2005 he attended SUNY Purchase College to complete his B.F.A. in dance. Christopher has performed with choreographers and companies such as Gregory Dolbashian (The Dash Ensemble), Loni Landon dance projects, Aszure Barton and Artists, Janis Brenner, Doug Varone, The Metropolitan Opera, Rebecca Lazier, Patrick Corbin, Netta Yerushalmy, Jenn Freeman and Sonya Tayeh. Christopher worked with the recording artist FKA Twigs on a video project. And will be seen in the Hulu series Up Here.

He currently teaches contemporary and Heels classes at Peridance Capezio Center in New York City. Also has taught and created works for New York University, Princeton university and The Hartt school of dance.

Born and raised in South Africa, Nathalie moved to the US to attend Joffrey Ballet School. After graduating from Boston Ballet School, she danced with Boston Ballet, English National Ballet, Synergy Dance UK before moving into theatre. Credits include Radio City, Dirty Dancing UK, An American in Paris Broadway Tour (Swing), My Fair Lady Broadway Tour (Dance Captain), Schmigadoon, Night At the Museum & Step Up franchises, Kate Spade, Michael Buble and many other creative artists around the world. Nathalie is inspired to teach and encourage the next generation of dancers by strongly emphasizing technique while keeping the energy fun and supportive.

Justina Aveyard is a professional dancer and choreographer hailing from Toronto, Canada. Justina continued her dance training at The Ailey School in New York City where she trained with and performed works by acclaimed choreographers. Upon graduation, Justina became a dancer with Broadway Dance Lab where she collaborated with Broadway choreographers to help create innovative choreography for upcoming musicals. Justina also works with RWS Entertainment Group on creating productions for Holland America, Azamara and MSC Cruise Lines. Justina has performed in the Tony award winning musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at The Muny, toured internationally with Step One Dance Company, and continues to perform annually in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Additionally, Justina has also been seen dancing in commercials for iconic brands like Kate Space and Audi. Justina absolutely loves teaching at conventions and studios across the United States and Canada as well as being an assistant to numerous Broadway and TV/Film choreographers.

Dee Tomasetta is a Massachusetts native where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Michigan. She was honored in 2018 receiving the Emerging Artist Alumni Award from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Dee was awarded Dancer of the Decade in 2021 for her principal role in the original production of Those Dancing Feet. Dee currently serves as the Associate Choreographer for the musical The Who’s Tommy in addition to being one of the US Associate Choreographers for the 8 time Tony nominated Broadway production of SIX the Musical.
Dee played the role of Peter Pan as well as Associate Choreographer of the Broadway First National Tour of Finding Neverland. She worked on Broadway workshops of Mrs. Doubtfire, Bliss the Musical, Kalevala the Musical, and The Storm the musical.

Dee was featured on So You Think You Can Dance as a Top 15 female finalist in Season 10 where she met choreographer Mia Michaels. Dee worked as an assistant choreographer on numerous projects with Ms. Michaels including So You Think You Can Dance, the Joffrey Ballet, Mia Michaels LIVE, and performed Mia Michael’s original works at the Geffen Playhouse Los Angeles honoring Lin Manuel Miranda, Dick Van Dyke, and Diane Keaton.

Dee has been seen dancing and singing in The SpongeBob Movie, Disney’s Freaky Friday Movie Musical, the MET GALA, the NBC Upfronts, REEBOK, New York Fashion Week, AUDI Global Launch Events in Shanghai, with Grammy Nominee Aloe Blacc, Musical Artist DUMBLONDE, and Gillette Venus commercials. In addition to dancing, Dee has modeled for MAC Cosmetics, Enbrel Print, Beachbody and Openfit Pilates subscriptions, Capezio Dancewear and Hasbro Products USA.
Her favorite credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the MET Gala 2021, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 3-5, The Gilded Age Season 1 & 2, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Radio City New York Spectacular, Saturday Night Live, New Years Eve Ball Drop with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, Americas Got Talent, Transcendence Theatre, Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre, and iKADA Dance Company.

In addition to performing, Dee is currently on the Dance Faculty at the Joffrey Ballet and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) located in New York City. She continues to share her knowledge, love, and passion for the arts teaching at various dance institutions and conventions throughout the country.

James Alonzo White is a North Carolina native, who received his Master of Arts in Dance Education at New York University. With a strong background in Street Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Contemporary and Commercial Dance, James is one of the most acclaimed choreographers and dance teachers in today’s industry. Currently, he is a teaching faculty member at world renowned Broadway Dance Center, Brickhouse NYC and Peridance Capezio Center. In addition, James has taught all over the world in places like France, Norway, and Los Angeles .

His professional dance credits include: Travis Scott, Cardi B, Rotimi, New York Fashion Week, Tostitos, and The Soul Spot (directed by: Candace Brown). In 2020, during the global pandemic James released a visual entitled “Brand New Day” featuring NYC’s finest dancers, inspired by the iconic film, The Wiz. With a pure intention to spread joy during uncertain times, Brand New Day took on a life of its own by quickly becoming a viral success garnering attention from acclaimed artists like Diana Ross, Evan Ross, Jennifer Garner, Octavia Spencer, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Todrick Hall, Billy Porter and Deborah Cox.
James’ choreography credits include: Mad Apple – Cirque Du Soleil, Disney Cruise line, Norwegian Cruises, MSC Cruises, Footloose, Dream Girls, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and the Knicks City Dancers.

He currently works with rising artist, Alex Mali, as her leading choreographer. James worked on several of Mali’s music videos including: “Control “+”Good Good” (two singles off her Phenom EP) and “Start It Up” (2019 single). He also choreographed- “Carol the Bells” and “I’ll Meet You There“- two music videos for pianist Chloe Flower.

Kristin Seneca-Leonardis has extensive commercial and conservatory based training making her one of the most diverse dancers in the industry. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance education with a minor in business from Montclair State University’s College of the Arts.

Some of Kristin’s performance credits include “The Wendy Williams Show,” MTV, Crystal Waters at Madison Square Garden, DOMO (The Voice – Season 3), “Hip Hop Squares” on MTV2, “World of Dance,” The Moscow Ballet’s “Russian Nutcracker”, a private event for Madonna, Kat DeLuna’s “Drop It Low” music video, Coca-Cola, and Legends of Freestyle tour for artists Rockell, Cynthia, Joe Zangie, Noel and hip hop legends The Sugar Hill Gang. She has performed at the Taj Mahal Arena, Disney World, Radio City Music Hall, PNC Arts Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Six Flags Great Adventure.

She is on staff at various studios in the tristate area teaching ages 2 through adult. Kristin also teaches masters classes, conventions and is a national award winning choreographer.

Kristin is honored and excited to be a part of the DEViATE family and looks forward to sharing her passion, knowledge and experience with all the talented dancers!